john f kennedy the most popular president of the last half century. no other president even comes close. is there we would like to show you part of a 1963kron4 report hours after it happened. >> one of the places where we have had cameras brought oud and mobile units set up is in san francisco. so, for a sampling of the mood in that west coast city. we now go to kron tv and jerry jensen. >> >> reporter: the atmosphere of gloom and silent defense spare which has fallen over every part of the united states is very clear in san francisco. any difference in a reaction to the people here on the west coast is due to time. because of the time difference, people here learned of the assassination of president kennedy before noon, so they have had one half of a whole working day to contemplate this tragedy. a large crowd has now gathered. i would like to get some reaction from you people. how do you feel about hearing the news? >> i still can't believe it. i know it happened, but i can't believe it. >> reporter: where were you when you first learned of the deat